Thursday! It has been a beautiful week here in Central Minnesota. It is my favorite time of year! Today I am in the office and feeling energized. Later I plan to mow the lawn and if you follow these posts… you know I love to mow the lawn! (It’s true – I really do!)

Author Terri Peterson Smith and her book, Off The Beaten Path

Fun story. Earlier this year Author Terri Peterson Smith contacted me about our event, Wine and Words. Our event already had the authors lined up but I really liked the sound of her book and directed her to contact my Vice-Chair in The Friends Group about being a part of the Brown Bag Author Line Up. I am thrilled to say that it worked out for her to come and speak, which she did a couple of Mondays ago.

Terri’s book is about grabbing your friends and taking a literary trip. It really is a book for book lovers. I loved that Terri mentioned in her talk that book groups are now seeking out that next level to reading the book… they want to taste the food that the characters have, they want to see and touch and feel – almost making the books three-dimensional. Terri provides that in her book, Off The Beaten Page.

Inspired by “field trips” with the author’s own book club, Off The Beaten Page offers a literary look at fifteen U.S. destinations as seen through the works of famous writers. No plodding tour of dead people’s homes; award-winning journalist Terri Peterson Smith takes readers on a lively tour of some of the most fascinating places in the U.S., combining her love of literature and her quest for a good time with friends. Her inspired explorations and meticulous research combine to help readers not only extend the experience of a great book but also to gain a greater understanding of the people and culture in the places they travel.

Terri was a lot of fun to meet in person. She has a fun bubbly personality which I felt made her perfect to write about bookish adventures such as where to find the house in St Paul Minnesota that F Scott Fitzgerald finished his book “This Side Of Paradise”. Terri’s book cover 15 US locations for literary trips for you and your group.

It was a real pleasure to hang out with Terri Peterson Smith. I have been reading her book this week and love the ideas it sparks about literary trips. I am hopeful she will write a follow-up book… I am hopeful she invites me along on these trips to help her with her research. ;) Hey, a girl can dream.

How is your Thursday shaping up? I need to get into the office soon, I already have a list of things building up in my head of the “to do’s” for today. It is funny how that happens. :)